Obama’s MinWage proposal goes farther than Cuomo’s

President Barack Obama proposed a larger increase in the federal $7.25 minimum wage than one being pushed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo as part of his proposed budget.

Both men are Democrats who must work with a divided Legislature. Obama proposed a $9 minimum wage, and changing the law so that it is indexed to inflation and rises automatically at the same rate as the prices of common goods. Cuomo proposed a $8.75 minimum wage, with no indexing provisions.

In New York, Democrats who dominate the State Assembly are pushing for an indexing provision, which they’ve passed in previous bills. The Senate’s Democrats, divided into a mainstream conference and the Independent Democratic Conference, also support this idea of indexing, but IDC members and some other mainstream Democrats seem willing to accept an increase that doesn’t include it.

Cuomo aides did not immediately comment on Obama’s move, and a statement he issued after the speech last night did not specifically mention the minimum wage. (It did say New York would “embrace” Obama’s agenda, which includes ensuring “those who work long and hard hours can provide for their families.”)

Michael Whyland, a spokesman for Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, said, “Indexing is vital and we’re glad the president has decided to make this a priority.”

“I applaud President Obama for calling upon congress last night to immediately pass a minimum wage hike. As many business, labor, and faith leaders agree, our nation’s lowest wage workers need a raise. If congress has the courage to raise the federal minimum wage, millions in our country, from workers to business owners, stand to benefit. But if recent history is any guide, we cannot depend on congress to build consensus around important economic decisions. That’s why we need to seize the moment here in New York to provide our state’s working families with a sensible raise that they so desperately need. And that’s why, over the next several weeks, I will continue to make passage of a serious statewide minimum wage increase my top legislative priority. After all, New York’s workers–and businesses–cannot afford to wait any longer.”

So what will happen, here? Will the state’s Republicans use Obama’s plan as an excuse to argue against any New York action? Will the Assembly Democrats use this as ammunition to push Cuomo to add indexing? Will Cuomo use this an impetus to push against the Republicans and business groups?